This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
If you read my Sunday column, you were well on your way to a 300-plus score. Let's see if we can repeat the feat tonight with this six-game slate.
SLATE OVERVIEW
MIA (-8.5) @ WAS O/U: 228
ORL (-11) vs. ATL O/U: 211.5
MIL (-6.5) @ CHI O/U: 219
BKN (-2.5) @ MIN O/U: 220
UTA (-9.5) vs. DET O/U: 216.5
POR (-4.5) vs. PHO O/U: 231
I like both Phoenix and Portland tonight, and there's value to be found in the MIA/WAS game as well. The ATL/ORL game looks to be a messy one, and aside from a pivot or two, I'm limiting my exposure to that contest.
INJURY SITUATIONS TO MONITOR
All long-term or ongoing injuries will be excluded.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) QUESTIONABLE
GIannis has missed two straight games, and we've yet to hear any word on the severity of his injury or how long he might be sidelined. Ersan Ilyasova ($5,600) would start in his place if he can't make it, and I'd also expect a production increase from Milwaukee's other starters.
Trae Young (ankle) OUT
X-rays came back clean for Young, but his ankle sprain could cause Young to miss considerable time. Kevin Huerter ($6,000) should be the top point guard for the team in his absence.
Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) QUESTIONABLE
Still no sign of Towns, and he may miss his seventh game tonight. It's worth monitoring the T-Wolves' lineup closer to tip-off, but Gorgui Dieng ($6,400) will continue to start for Towns if he can't go.
Bradley Beal (calf) QUESTIONABLE
There's no need to push Beal now that his amazing consecutive-games streak has ended, but he may feel well enough to play anyway. I would go with Gary Payton II ($6,200) first, but Troy Brown Jr. ($5,800) and Jordan McRae ($4,600) would also receive a bump if Beal is out.
Andrew Wiggins (illness) QUESTIONABLE
If Wiggins misses his second straight game, look for Jarrett Culver to start, but I prefer Robert Covington ($5,900) as your target in this scenario.
Aaron Gordon (Achilles) QUESTIONABLE
The severity of Gordon's injury isn't known at this time, but Achilles injuries can be tricky. If Gordon is unable to go, look for Terrence Ross ($4,200) to get the biggest production boost.
ELITE PLAYERS
The top of the slate is littered with a number of injury concerns. As a result, we'll be starting the list at a slightly lower salary.
Donovan Mitchell, UTA ($8,400) vs. DET
I feel confident going with Mitchell tonight based on his recent tear with two scores in the 50 DKFP range. Although these two teams have yet to play each other, I think Mitchell is set up well to potentially meet value tonight.
Jimmy Butler, MIA ($7,800) @ WAS
Butler can take over a game on any given night, but it's hard to beat the situation he's in against the Wizards. He lowered the hammer on Washington in their first meeting with 68.5 DKFP, and the Wizards could be even more vulnerable tonight if Bradley Beal can't go.
EXPECTED CHALK AND OTHER TARGETS
Ricky Rubio, PHO ($7,200) @POR
The high O/U and Rubio's potential ceiling are the attractive features of this pick, and his price makes him a much better value than his backcourt companion, Devin Booker. Rubio's eclipsed 40 DKFP in three of his last four games.
C.J. McCollum, POR ($6,600) vs. PHO
As I often do, I'll go with McCollum over Lillard in an effort to get a piece of this high-octane matchup. After two tough matchups against the Jazz and Lakers, I think McCollum will come through with a value-beating number against the Suns.
Bojan Bogdanovic, UTA ($6,100) vs. DET
Bojan is finally free of those pesky injury tags, and the Utah standout has shown a propensity to go big against weaker opponents. Detroit's defense against Bogdanovic's position isn't particularly strong, so the potential is there for 40 or more DKFPs.
Jarrett Allen, BKN ($6,200) @ MIN
I wouldn't normally go to Allen with DeAndre Jordan competing for minutes, but this is the price point I had to hit after loading up on elite guards. I will lock up this pick when I hear more about Towns' status.
VALUE PLAYS
Carmelo Anthony, POR ($5,300) vs. PHO
This is a great price for Anthony, especially when you consider the increased pace likely in this contest. Recent lukewarm performances have lowered Anthony's salary by $800 in the past week, and it's now a little too good to pass up.
Jordan Clarkson, UTA ($4,100) vs. DET
The Jazz seemed ready to test out Clarkson in his second game, as he logged 24 minutes and put up 27 DKFP. I like Clarkson's value here, especially if Utah runs away with this game.
